During their recent summit in San Francisco, President Xi Jinping delivered a strong message to President Biden, revealing China’s intent to absorb Taiwan, even hinting at the possibility of using force, though without setting a specific timeline.
In a meeting attended by officials from both countries, Xi expressed a preference for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan but kept the exact timeframe under wraps. A report from Conservative Brief on December 21, 2023, highlighted Xi’s dismissal of U.S. military leaders’ predictions regarding the annexation of Taiwan in 2025 or 2027, labeling them as inaccurate due to the absence of specifics.
Ahead of the summit, Chinese officials sought public affirmation from Biden on U.S. support for China’s pursuit of a peaceful reunification with Taiwan and non-endorsement of Taiwanese independence. The White House, however, declined this request.
Xi’s private warning, revealed during the summit, raised concerns among U.S. officials, particularly given China’s assertive behavior towards Taiwan and the upcoming presidential election on the island. Senator Lindsey Graham proposed bipartisan action to deter China, suggesting the creation of a defense supplemental for Taiwan and pre-invasion sanctions if China takes aggressive action.
Despite the tension, officials noted that Xi’s tone aligned with his past tough stance on Taiwan. Xi had previously stated at the Chinese Communist Party Congress that China would use military force against Taiwan if it declared independence with foreign support, emphasizing the threat against interference by outside forces.
Experts speculated on the potential impact of a military conflict on China’s economic goals, given Xi’s aim to double the size of the Chinese economy by 2035. Some suggested that China might hesitate to attack Taiwan if it doesn’t declare independence, as a conflict could impede Beijing’s economic objectives.
The White House had hoped the summit would ease tensions between the U.S. and China. President Biden emphasized the need for a rational and manageable relationship to avoid conflict. CIA Director William Burns had earlier noted U.S. intelligence estimates suggesting Xi’s directive to the military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, underscoring China’s focus and ambition revealed during the San Francisco summit.
